KΗΠΟΣ KΥΡΙΟΥ
GARDEN OF THE LORD
A Monthly Newsletter of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Asheville, NC.
December 2016
What shall we offer Thee, O Christ, Who for our sakes hast appeared on the earth as a man?
Every creature which Thou hast made offers Thee thanks.
The angels offer Thee a song; The heavens, their star;
The wise men, their gifts; The shepherds, their wonder;
The earth, its cave; The wilderness; the manger;
And we offer Thee a virgin mother.
O Pre-eternal God, have mercy on us!
Χαίρεται! Greetings to all!
I greet all of you in the Spirit of this most beautiful and eloquent Christmas hymn. When I stop to
consider these words, I am always in awe and amazement of this most incredible mystery. The “One
Who Is,” Who created all things visible and in visible, out of His great love for us identifies Himself
with us completely and in every way, except for sin. This in-and-of-itself is an unfathomable mystery!
Not only does God become Man, but He comes with great humility, as a lowly servant, suffering for
us, teaching us, guiding us, and by His Divine Spirit, waking us from our spiritual slumber and showing us a glimpse of the incomparably glorious Kingdom of the Heavens.
So we ask ourselves, “What shall we offer Thee, O Christ?” Within the context of this hymn “we”
means “all of us.” We see here that the angels, the heavens, the wise men, the shepherds, the earth and
even the wilderness have their gifts prepared for the Christ. And “we,” humanity, all of us, offer to
God a holy virgin to become the abode of Him whom the heavens cannot contain, and it is from her,
the most holy Theotokos, that God receives His flesh.
Words cannot express the grandeur of this reality. Even, however, in the shadow of this grand scenario, there remains a smaller, yet not insignificant, consideration. “We,” in terms of humanity, have
done our part. But what about the “we” in the more personal sense? What can “I” offer to the Almighty God? The answer is simple, not necessarily easy. It is my Love. I say “not necessarily easy” because our inclination, whether we are aware of it or not, is to be self serving. Love serves the other
without consideration for the self. Love of God is based upon the building of a relationship with Him.
A healthy relationship requires time and effort. It requires that we give and receive. This is exactly
what the Orthodox Church guides us to do; to give of ourselves, and to receive grace. If we are honest
1
Continued on page 2
Holy Trinity
Greek Orthodox Church
227 Cumberland Avenue • Asheville, North Carolina 28801
Phone: (828) 253-3754
• Facsimile (828) 253-1277
Tony and Helen Morris Hellenic Cultural Center: (828) 254-7424
www.holytrinityasheville.com ◊ Church Email: [email protected]
Fr. Michael Diavatis - Parish Priest
(828) 785-6589 (Cellular Phone) ◊ [email protected]
2016 Parish Council
Richard Bass
(2016/17)
Pete Stathopoulos (2015/16)
Julie Delich
(2016/17)
Bess Crider
(2016/17)
Tommy I. Arakas
(2016/17)
Dean Nakos
(2015/16)
Jimmy Koutsioumbis
(2015/16)
Emily Rantzos
(2016/17)
President
Vice President
Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Treasurer
Assistant Treasurer
Jason Ledford
(2015/16)
Steve Wallingford
(2015/16)
If you are not on our mailing-list and would like to be please contact the Church Office.
Any submission for the Garden of the Lord should be presented to the office by the 15th of each month.
Orthodox Observer
If you do not currently receive the Archdiocesan Newspaper, The Orthodox Observer, and would
like to, please contact the Church Office. There is no cost for this service.
Continued from page 1
with ourselves, we will see that each and every one of us can give more of ourselves to God, from
the most dedicated Christian to the most aloof.
Our generation is full of excuses why we procrastinate and place other priorities before God.
Many times we say to ourselves, “God understands.” Therein lies a very dangerous confession,
“God understands.” Of course God understands all too well. Do we understand what we do or do
not do, and why? If someone said “I have a million dollars for you, just come and get it,” would
we not go immediately? If another were to say “I have the cure of your incurable illness, and it is
free, just come to receive treatment,” would we not drop everything? How about the offer from
God, Who has for us the gift of eternal life? Is this not worth more than money and physical
health? If the answer is yes, then the question remains; “What can I offer to Thee, O Christ?” The
answer, then, is myself, with all of my heart, my soul, my strength and my mind (Luke 10:27).
Wishing you every blessing during this season of the Nativity and into the New Year;
Yours truly in Christ Jesus,
Fr. Michael Diavatis
2
Prosforon
Prosforon
December 4 – Popie Zourzoukis
January 1 – Maria Zourzoukis
December 11 – Theodora Poulos
December 18 – Eleni Sakkas
January 8 – Bess Crider
January 15 – Andrea Zourzoukis
December 25 - Eleni Kaltsunis
January 22 - Maria Pappas
January 29 - Golfo Katsigianis
Parish Council Pangari Duty
December 4 – Bess Crider & Pete Stathopoulos
December 11 – Richard Bass & Dean Nakos
December 18 – Jimmy Koutsioumbis & Pete Stathopoulos
December 25 - Pete Stathopoulos & Jimmy Koutsioumbis
January 1 – Pete Stathopoulos & Jimmy Koutsioumbis
January 8 – Richard Bass & Dean Nakos
January 15 – Bess Crider & Julie Delich
January 22 January 29 -
Coffee Hour and Luncheons
December 4 – Nick Baxevanis in Honor St. Nicholas.
December 11 – Memorial and Cafe in honor of Dena Zogzas.
December 18 – Youth Ministry Program.
December 25 January 1 –
January 8 –
January 15 –
January 22 January 29 -
3
December
Schedule
Sunday, December 4.
St. Barbara & St. John of Damascus
Orthros.
Divine Liturgy.
᾽Ημερολόγιον
Δεκεμβρίου
8:45 AM
10:00 AM
Κυριακή, 4 Δεκεμβρίου.
Ἁγ. Βαρβάρας καὶ Ἁγ. Ἰωάννου
Δαμασκινοῦ.
Ὄρθρος.
Θεία Λειτουργία.
Tuesday, December 6.
St. Nicholas
Orthros.
Divine Liturgy.
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
Τρίτη, 6 Δεκεμβρίου.
Ἁγίου Νικολάου..
Ὄρθρος.
Θεία Λειτουργία.
Sunday, December 11.
Orthros.
Divine Liturgy.
8:45 AM
10:00 AM
Κυριακή, 11 Δεκεμβρίου.
Ὄρθρος.
Θεία Λειτουργία.
Monday, December 12.
St. Spyridon
Orthros.
Divine Liturgy.
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
Δευτέρα, 12 Δεκεμβρίου.
Ἁγίου Σπυρίδωνος
Ὄρθρος.
Θεία Λειτουργία.
Sunday, December 18.
Orthros.
Divine Liturgy.
8:45 AM
10:00 AM
Κυριακή, 18 Δεκεμβρίου.
Ὄρθρος.
Θεία Λειτουργία.
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
Πέμπτη, 22 Δεκεμβρίου.
Ἁγίας Ἀναστασίας.
Ὄρθρος.
Θεία Λειτουργία.
Thursday, December 22.
St. Anastasia
Orthros.
Divine Liturgy.
Friday, December 23.
The Great Hours for Christmas
Saturday, December 24
The Eve of the Birth of Christ.
The Birth of Christ.
Orthros.
Divine Liturgy.
10 AM
Παρασκευή, 23 Δεκεμβρίου
Αἱ Μεγάλαι Ὥραι.
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
Σάββατον, 24 Δεκεμβρίου.
Παραμονή Χριστουγέννων
Ἡ Γέννησις τοῦ Χριστοῦ.
Ὄρθρος.
Θεία Λειτουργία.
Sponsor an Edition of the Garden of the Lord Newsletter!
January 2017 is open!
Call the Church office.
4
January
Schedule
Sunday, January 1.
Orthros.
Divine Liturgy.
Ἠμερολόγιον
Ἰανουαρίου
8:45 AM
10:00 AM
Κυριακή, 1 Ἰανουαρίου.
Ὄρθρος.
Θεία Λειτουργία.
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
Πέμπτη, 5 Ἰανουαρίου.
Νηστεία.
Ὄρθρος.
Θεία Λειτουργία.
Ἁγιασμός.
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
Παρασκευή, 6 Ἰανουαρίου.
Ἁγία Θεοφάνεια.
Ὄρθρος.
Θεία Λειτουργία.
Μέγας Ἁγιασμός.
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
Σάββατον, 7 Ἰανουαρίου..
Ἁγίου Ἱωάννου τοῦ Προδρόμου.
Ὄρθρος.
Θεία Λειτουργία.
Sunday, January 8.
Orthros.
Divine Liturgy.
8:45 AM
10:00 AM
Κυριακή, 10 Ἰανουαρίου.
Ὄρθρος.
Θεία Λειτουργία.
Sunday, January 15.
Orthros.
Divine Liturgy.
8:45 AM
10:00 AM
Κυριακή, 15 Ἰανουαρίου.
Ὄρθρος.
Θεία Λειτουργία.
Tuesday, January 17.
St. Anthony the Great.
Orthros.
Divine Liturgy.
8:45 AM
10:00 AM
Τρίτη, 17 Ἰανουαρίου.
Ἁγίου Ἀντονίου τοῦ Μεγάλου.
Ὄρθρος.
Θεία Λειτουργία.
Sunday, January 22.
Orthros.
Divine Liturgy.
8:45 AM
10:00 AM
Κυριακή, 22 Ἰανουαρίου.
Ὄρθρος.
Θεία Λειτουργία.
8:45 AM
10:00 AM
Κυριακή, 29 Ἰανουαρίου.
Ὄρθρος.
Θεία Λειτουργία.
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
Δευτέρα, 30 Ἰανουαρίου.
Τῶν Ἁγίων Ἱεραρχῶν.
Ὄρθρος.
Θεία Λειτουργία.
Thursday, January 5.
Strict Fast Day.
Orthros.
Divine Liturgy.
Blessing of the Waters.
Friday, January 6.
Theophany.
Orthros.
Divine Liturgy.
Great Blessing of the Waters.
Saturday, January 7.
St. John the Forerunner.
Orthros.
Divine Liturgy.
Sunday, January 29.
Orthros.
Divine Liturgy.
Monday, January 30.
The Three Hierarchs.
Orthros.
Divine Liturgy.
5
Parish Council President’s Christmas Message
- Richard Bass
What a joyous time of the year when we celebrate the birth of our
Lord over 2000 years ago. On Christmas day each year we all have
that wonderful glow, that feeling of love and passion for others, but
in most cases this is not shown year round. How sad as no matter
what differences we may have with others, we are all still brothers
and sisters in our Christian life. Why can’t we share that glow year
round? That question has been asked year after year. A short while
back I received the below as an insert in a Christmas card and I
thought it would be nice to share it with you. As you read it, you too will find places
within it that you can relate. I pray you have a wonderful Blessed Christmas with your
family and friends! - Richard Bass
“My Christmas Card List”
There is a list of folks I know all written in a book
And every year at Christmas time I go and take a look.
And that is when I realized those names are all apart
Not of the book they're written in, but deep inside my heart.
For each name stands for someone who has touched my life sometime
In that meeting they have become a special friend of mine.
I really feel that I'm composed of each remembered name
And my life is so much better than it was before they came.
Once you've known that someone all the years cannot erase
The memory of a pleasant word or of a friendly face.
So never think my Christmas cards or just a mere routine
Of names upon a list that are forgotten in between.
For when I send a Christmas card that is addressed to you
It is because you're on that list of folks I'm indebted to.
And whether I have known you for many years or few,
The greatest gift that God can give is having friends like you.
Author Unknown
6
7
DEC!
2016
Youth Ministry
Christmas Carols - KALANDA! Please join us at our
!
Annual
Youth Ministry
Christmas
Luncheon & Program
!
Sunday, December 18, 2016
following Divine Liturgy
!
The presentation will be bi-lingual.
This Saturday, December 3rd the Youth
Ministry (all ages) will be going
Christmas Caroling. Meet at the church
at 2:00. Please contact Maria Katsigianis
231-2357 or Georgia Barlas 777-8823 if
you would like us to visit you.
!
!
Christmas Program Planning
• Every Sunday, a short time in Sunday School will be used
to review for the program.
• Dec. 11th: All Students need to meet in the Archangel
Gabriel Room (next to Greek School Room) to review for
the program.
• Dec. 16th (Fri): Practice in the hall for all ages - 5:00. All
Greek School Classes are to meet at 5:00.
• December 17th: Practice in the hall at 10:30 (Parents plan
to stick around so that the hall may be set-up and
decorated)
• December 18th: Program/ Luncheon immediately
following service.
!
Costumes: there should be a costume for almost every
student. The teachers are discussing directly with parents
where there are exceptions. !
Youth Ministry Communication
!
Shutterfly Share Site is our main communication hub.
Stay Informed and give attention to e-mails. All
information will be sent to you through this site.
Costumes for Pre-School Students: These children need to
be dressed up as animals and parents are responsible for
dressing the. The teacher recommended the onesie animal
pajamas - something very simply - not a fancy costume.
Farm Animals only - not safari.
!
If you have any questions, please contact the Mrs. Vicky
Themistocleous, the Sundays School Directors or Presvytera
Nikol.
!
8
DEC!
2016
Youth Ministry Cont.
G.O.Y.A. News
Greek Orthodox Youth of America, G.O.Y.A., is a youth ministry group for all students ages 13 (or 7th Grade) - 18 yrs. (or 12th
Grade). It’s time for fellowship, fun and team building. All questions should be directed to Maria Katsigianis 231-2357.
!
!
Goyans met on Sunday, November
20th at Line of Fire Paintfields for
Fellowship and Fun. Thank you to
our GOYA Advisor, Dino Zourzoukis
for attending and our GOYA
Coordinator, Maria Katsigianis for
planning.
HDF 2017
(Hellenic Dance Festival)
!
Winston Salem, NC
January 13-16, 2017
Join the fun as a spectator, volunteer,
dancer, or director and you won’t leave
disappointed. With over 35 groups
performing traditional dances of Greece,
spiritual enrichment activities, and dances
every evening, you won’t want to miss
this event!
!
Online registration will be opening
October 1! Register by December 15,
2016, to ensure discounted hotel and
registration pricing.
G.O.Y.A. met on November
13th to elect officers and to
begin planning their
fellowship calendar.
!
2016-2017 Officers:
Co-President: Drew
Katsigianis & Demos Paulk
Co-Secretary: Joan
Buchanan & Vasili Paulk
!
Upcoming:
!
December 17th
Christmas Program Rehearsal,
followed by
Off-Site Christmas Fellowship
(More Info to come on Share
Site)
!
9
Please see our forms and resources
page for more information on HDF 2017!
!
Hotel Information: MARRIOTT
DOWNTOWN: 800-320-0934 ($139/
night) or EMBASSY SUITES DOWNTOWN
800-696-6107 ($149/night) Hotel Block
is under HDF 2017.
Philoptochos wishes you
A Merry Christmas!
HOLY TRINITY LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS DECEMBER 2016 ANNOUNCEMENTS
The MANNA Food Drive
Report:
444 lbs. of Food
Collected to Fight
Hunger in
Buncombe
County
T he P h i lopto c ho s
would like to thank
all the parishioners who brought in
non- perishable food and contributed
money towards the purchase of
turkeys and hams for the MANNA
Food Bank. A total of $305 was
collec ted and we wer e able to
purchase 14 turkeys and 7 hams. The
turkeys, hams, and non-perishable
donated food totaled 444 pounds.
Thank you for choosing to make a
difference in someone else's life. God
bless you. In the Spirit of the season, Philoptochos members,
spouses, and friends are invited to our
Annual
Ch!"mas Pa#y
Sunday, December 11, 2016
5:00 pm
Harbor Inn Restaurant
880 Brevard Road
Asheville, NC 28806
December Project : Collection
to Keep the Homeless Warm
T he Philoptochos
ladies are collecting
hats, gloves, scarves,
a nd s o c k s for t he
homeless shelter on
Anne Street. Any
Parishioners who are able to help
with this project are asked to please
drop off their donated items in the
boxes set up in the church Narthex by
Sunday, December 11, 2016.
RSVP
Athena Poulos: (828) 299-7743 or
[email protected]
by December 9, 2016
Philoptochos members
please remember to bring
an unwrapped toy for
a needy child.
10
Community
Va s i l o p i t a
Cutting
More Philoptochos News
The cutting of the
C o m m u n i t y
Vasilopita will be on
Va s i l o p i t a S i l e n t
Auction to Benefit St.
Basil’s Academy
Sunday, January
8, 2017 during the
coffee hour that the
P h i lopto chos w i l l
sponsor.
Each December our
Philoptochos members
bake with their hearts and
hands. The result is a beautiful loaf of sweet
bread called a Vasilopita in honor of Agia
Vasilis- St. Basil The Great, whose Feast Day is
January 1.
All Philoptochos members are asked to bring
a covered dish for the coffee hour.
All proceeds from the Vasilopita fundraisers
will be sent to Saint Basil’s Academy.
In 194 4, Archbishop A thenagora s I of
Constantinople learned of a beautiful old estate
in Garrison, NY --‘The Rupert Estate’, which
was for sale. He said that “... a great lady was
going to purchase this place” and he contacted
the Ladies Philoptochos Society and asked
them to immediately empty their treasuries to
buy the property, which they did.
Thank you everyone.
-- Athena Poulos, President
What’s Behind the Name?
Meaning, origin and history of the name Basil. From the
Greek name Βασιλειος (Basileios) which was derived
from βασιλευς (basileus) meaning "king". Saint Basil the
Great was a 4th-century bishop of Caesarea and one of
the fathers of the early Christian church.
The feast and commemoration of Saint Basil is
celebrated with the Divine Liturgy attributed to him, the
Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil. This is one of ten times
during the year when the Liturgy of Saint Basil is
celebrated. The Liturgy is conducted on the morning of
the feast and preceded by a Matins (Orthros) service. A
Great Vespers is conducted on the evening before the day
of the Feast. Also on this day, the Church commemorates
the Circumcision of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Eight days after his birth, Jesus was circumcised (Luke
2:21) in accordance with the command given by God to
Abraham when He promised to make an everlasting
covenant with him and all his descendants (Genesis
17:10-12). -- Taken from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Website
It was renamed St. Basil’s Academy in honor of
St. Basil The Great and began as an orphanage.
From the beginning it has served as a
residential school for at-r isk students,
becoming a premier haven for children from
difficult & troubled homes, often in need of
special care as a result. They are nurtured &
educated; learn Orthodoxy in a family setting;
receive proper nutrition and medical care
provided by Orthodox doctors who volunteer
their services. It is a life altering place- a life
saving place --and occupies a very special place
in the hearts of our Philoptochos members. We
are dedicated to it’s support!
For many years we have baked beautiful and
delicious St. Basil’s Breads to be auctioned off-complete with a hidden coin-- with the
proceeds going to help support the Academy.
Philoptochos
General
Membership
Meeting Sunday,
January 8, 2017
after coffee hour.
This year’s Vasilopita Silent Auction will be on
Sunday, December 18, 2016 during coffee
hour. Please come and support our efforts to
foster this safe and loving home for special
needs children.
11
December News @ Holy Trinity
St. Barbara Philoptochos Celebration Greenville, SC
Agia Barbara Chapter of the Ladies
Philoptochos of Greenville, SC invite
our parish to join them on Monday,
December 5, 2016. They will hold
their Name Day Celebration
Luncheon following the Divine
Liturgy.
Cost is $25 and lunch will be served
in their Hellenic Center.
Sunday December 4, 2016
Following Divine Liturgy until 2 pm
The following candidates have been vetted by the
Election Committee consisting of Tom Arakas,
Katina Zoumbos & Maria Katsigianis and are on
the ballot for Holy Trinity’s Annual Election.
If you are interested in attending or offering to drive on
that day, please notify Athena Poulos 828-712-3962.
Weather permitting, the plan is to carpool.
For Parish Council 2017-2018
Six(6) Openings. Choose five (5):
Jimmy Koutsioumbis! !
Dean Nakos! !
!
Steve Katsadouros
2016 Archangel
Michael Awards
Pete Stathopoulos
Nick Baxevanis
For Holy Trinity Foundation
Choose one (1):
This year our two Archangel
Michael Award recipients are
Konstantinos Siatis for the adults
and Jereas Alnasraween for the
youth.
This award is bestowed by our
spiritual father Metropolitan Alexios of
Atlanta every year in November in honor of
the Holy Archangel Michael.
Paula Apostolopoulos!!
Gus Barlas
to learn. He is a beautiful and humble soul and a valued
member of Christ’s holy Church.
Quote from Jereas: “I feel happy to have received this
Archangel Michael honor
for 2016. Being
involved in my Church
makes me feel closer
to God and I want to do
good things so I can go
to heaven. I also feel
proud that I’m an alter
boy because I get to
help people and I love
it. It make me feel like
I’m a part of a whole
family.”
Following Divine Liturgy, Fr. Michael
AXIOS!
Konstantinos Siatis has lived nearly a century as
not only a dedicated member of Christ’s Church, but as
one in whom the prayers and holy services have found
a home in his heart. He loves to sing and chant the
hymns of the Church and the songs of our pious history.
He is loved and respected by all.
Quote from Konstantinos: “My family and I have always
loved the Church; it is our blood and our soul.”
Jereas Alnasraween has been a dedicated server
in the Altar for 4 years, going above and beyond the call
of duty, helping and cleaning, rarely missing a service,
including all Holy Week services. He loves his Church,
participates in all the sacraments, and is always eager
bestowed the Archangel Michael
medals on November 27, 2016.
12
December Praise & Thanks @ Holy Trinity
Kudos for Dr. Perry Stamatiades
Dr. Stamatiades was recently inducted as a Fellow of the International
College of Dentist at its 87th Annual Convocation in Denver, Colorado on
October 21, 2016. This accolade was made possible by nominations for the
honor brought forth by colleagues within the dental industry.
In recognition of his outstanding and meritorious service to the dental
profession and community, the College presented Dr. Stamatiades with a
membership plaque, a gold lapel pin and a gold key symbolic of this
fellowship for the conspicuous service rendered to both patients of Zöe
Dental and the Asheville community in the art and science of Dentistry.
In an impressive cap and gown ceremony, Dr. Stamatiades was among 320
dentists from the United States who were inducted into the College at this
year’s ceremony witnessed by hundreds of members and guests. The
College, with representative chapters in more than 120 countries, has over
11,000 members, including about 6,500 in the United States. -- Reprinted
from the Zoe Dental Newsletter 11/15/16
The Holy Trinity Church Community congratulates you and your entire family
on this important recognition, Perry. ! AXIOS!
Veteran’s Recognition & A Salute to Kostas (Gus) Siatis
November 8th was a day of remembrance for our
community veterans and was topped off by a surprise
for Gus Siatis, long time parishioner at Holy Trinity.
presentation. Eighty-two veterans were recognized
with over 60 of them submitting photos from their time
in the military. It was a very touching tribute to these
brave patriots, who represented every branch of US
military service and several in Greece.
The two year effort by The Ladies Philoptochos Society
to collect and recognize as many of our Holy Trinity
community and their family members for their military
service was chaired by Sue Arakas and Mary Chakales
who created an artful and impressive display &
A loving community proudly salutes each of you and
holds your service in esteem. Thank you for all you’ve
done to preserve our heritage and freedoms.
13
Tribute to Kostas (Gus) Siatis
Personal Reflections by Nick Tsiros
Today as our community is honoring it’s veterans, I
would like to take this opportunity to say a few words
for a remarkable veteran who served the country of
Greece during World War II and the most ferocious
Civil War which some of us who came from Greece
remember in the era of the 1940’s.
different front in the Spring of 1941. The few Greek
soldiers who were protecting that border were killed
and the Germans entered Greece.
As the German officers were entering Greece they
saluted the bodies of the killed Greek soldiers for
their gallantry to protect their country. Greece was
occupied by Germany. The Greek soldiers, who
victoriously were fighting the Italians, returned to
their homes in spring of 1941.
This person is Mr. Kostas
Siatis!
To begin, I would like to
say a few words of the
history during the decade
of the 1940’s as I remember
it when Mr. Kostas Siatis
was serving his regular
military obligation to our
country Greece.
Nick Tsiros recounted
details of Gus’ valor and
bravery which helped his
family survive the Greek
Wa r o f I n d e p e n d e n c e
(1946-49 ).
At this time Kostas Siatis with his fellow surviving
soldiers from our village, returned home to our
village Nostimo. Three soldiers from our village gave
their lives fighting the Italians in Albania.
During the year of 1941 in the remote villages of
Greece, the Greeks were forming groups to resist the
enemy. I remember Kostas Siatis was very
instrumental in organizing the resistance units in our
area. From my young age, I still remember the names
of the resistance groups.
Mr. Siatis is from the
v i l l a ge o f
No s t i m o,
Evrytania, the same village
where I was born and lived
my first 14 years of life.
“EDES” Ethnikos Dimokratikos Ellinikos Syndesmos.
National Republic Greek League.
“ELAS” Ethnikos Laikos Apoleftherotikos Stratos.
National People’s Liberation Army.
Beginning with War II
On October 28, 1940, the dictator of Italy Benito
Mussolini, a German ally, had the Ambassador of
Italy in Athens deliver an ultimatum to the Prime
Minister of Greece, John Metaxas at 3 AM demanding
the Italian Army be allowed unopposed free passage
to enter and occupy strategic sites in Greece. John
Metaxas rejected Mussolini's ultimatum with the
historic “OXI” --NO!
These groups, taking advantage of the Greek terrain,
were successful in keeping the enemy away from our
villages the majority of the time.
Kostas Siatis with many of those who were serving,
were the first deployed to front lines to stop the
Italian invasion.
Following the German withdrawal, the country was
divided. ELAS communists, left and EDES
Nationalists, right. These two groups became involved
in the most vicious Greek Civil War which continued
until the end of 1949.
Greek history tells us that from ancient times the
Greeks would fight rather than be in bondage.
The German forces began withdrawing from the
Greek mainland in late 1944.
Immediately all eligible Greek men were inducted
into the armed forces. United by great enthusiasm,
they began a counterattack, driving the enemy deep
into Italian held Albania.For six months the Greeks
heroically were defeating the Italians and forced their
retreat. The Germans then attacked Greece from a
I remember the civil war in the region where I lived
until December 1947. It was a territory where
confrontations between Communists and national
ethnic groups were taking place at times with
14
casualties and executions. Living in this region was
very frightful. This is a brief piece of history as I
remember it in the 1940’s.
When I left home, my mother and two sisters were
left behind. They were trying to find a way to get away
which was almost impossible to do. The Communists
were everywhere and in order to go from point A to
point B, an official written document was needed
from the Communist person in charge of each village.
Mr. Kostas Siatis’ roll during the Greek Civil
War -- 1946 -1949
The Communists not only drafted all eligible men
but were also drafting girls. We feared for my sisters.
Mr. Siatis, according to the information I had many
years ago, was summoned by the Greek government
to serve as a leader of the volunteer unit alongside the
Greek Army.
On February 2, 1948, Kostas Siatis, received
information that the Communists were going to draft
the girls in our village. He did not lose any time, he
took a group of his men and some mules and came to
our village at 2:30 AM. He gave my mother and some
other villagers mules to load some of their personal
belongings, told them what was happening and
escorted them to safety with more villagers. Even
though they encountered an ambush at the edge of
the village, they prevailed and reached their
destination by evening without any casualties.
During the civil war, he led his group of volunteers
with a reputation as a fair and just leader. As you can
imagine, civil war is a conflict that you do not know
who your enemy is, brother against brother, neighbor
against neighbor and fellow villager against fellow
villager. Even though the Communists captured and
executed his father, and burned the family home in
the summer of 1947 (I remember that night, the whole
village was illuminated from the flames of the fire set
by the communist’s gorilla group), Mr. Siatis
remained disciplined, just and fair to his assigned
duties. His reputation became known and respected
among the right
and left wing. I
heard when a
Communist
wanted
to
surrender, they
looked for Kostas
Siatis, because
they feared for
t h e i r l ive s a n d
knew Mr. Siatis
would treat the
prisoner according
Fr. Michael congratulates Gus for his
to rules. Others
outstanding contribution to aid the
wo u l d p ro b a b l y
Tsiros Family.
harm the prisoner.
Mr. Siatis served the country of Greece honorably. My
family considers him a HERO. Even today when I
visit our village every year many people ask about
Kosta Siatis and send him their regards.
Gus Siatis received congratulations and a framed presentation
from Parish Council Pres. Richard Bass, who also expressed the
community’s gratitude.
I got away from my Communist occupied village
during the height of the civil war on December 6, 1947.
After a day’s journey (normally 3 hours) I arrived at
the Greek Army occupied territory. Since it was
already dark, I was held overnight in the basement of
a ruined school building. When dawn came, I looked
outside and Kostas Siatis happened to be outside.
What a relief! I worked my way to him and asked
what was going on. He said, they were going to
question me and let me go.
15
2017 STEWARDSHIP
DRIVE IS UNDERWAY
A traditional American proverb says that, “God makes this request of his children:
Do the best you can, where you are, with what you have, now.” The story of Jesus
Christ feeding the 5,000 illustrates this through the boy’s offering of all that he
had -- five loaves and two fish. This boy did his best with what he had, and Jesus
used it to perform an incredible miracle. Just like the boy who offered the loaves
and the fish, if we offer what we have -- however great or small our gift -- God will
receive our gifts and multiply them to feed His people.
What could we do as a Church Family with 100% stewardship
participation?
If each person did their part to volunteer time,
talent and treasure? Are you willing to find out?
2017 STEWARDS OF
HOLY TRINITY GREEK
ORTHODOX
CHURCH AS OF
11/25/2016
Darryl & Mary Addington
Assef & Hiyam Alnasraween
Linda Apostolopoulos
Catherine Arakas
Sideris & Sue Arakas
Gus & Ismini Barlas
Richard & Mickie Bass
Mary Chakales
Pete & Patty Chakales
Steven & Bess Crider
John & Gerri Critikos
John & Julie Delich
John Dermas
Yotty Dermas
Demitrios & Stamatia Dotsikas
Irene Evangelatos
Evangelos & Holly Fallias
Bruce & Traci Fleming
Crisler & Ginny Johnson
Mary Johnson
Andrew & June Kallianos
Steve & Dora Katsadouros
Jimmy & Jenny Koutsioumbis
George & Ida Kroi
George Lamprinakos
Patrick & Rita Lewis
Dean Nakos
Vasil & Etlena Nune
Catherine & Gabriel Ortiz
Arthur & Laurie Pappas
Mary Pappas
Val & Andrew Prytyskach
Kostas & Emily Rantzos
Nick & Meni Rantzos
Paul & Steffie Rantzos
Nicholas & Alyssa Sellas
Ourania Sellas
Konstantinos & Evelyn Siatis
Jim & Virginia Soufleris
Gus & Melissa Stamatiades
John & Effie Stamatiades
Perry & Fay Stamatiades
Peter Stathopoulos
Jimmy & Sophia Tziavelis
Benton Urquhart
Anna Xenakis
Dr. Hope Xenakis & Ray Dean
Steve & Frosene Zeis
Christos & Katina Zoumbos
Chris & Adamantia Zourzoukis
Constantine G. Zourzoukis
Dimitrios G. Zourzoukis
Gus & Popie Zourzoukis
Total pledges: 53
Total pledged: $63,854
Avg. pledge: $ 1,205
Rec'd to date: $ 5,000
Please Remember Your Church in Your Will
16
....from whom all blessings flow.
Stewards of Holy Trinity
Greek Orthodox Church
2016
Updated November 25, 2016
Anonymous
Darryl & Mary Addington
Assef & Hiyam Alnasraween
Philip & Elizabeth Anagnostopoulos
Nick & Maria Anagnostopoulos
Andrew Apostolopoulos
Linda Apostolopoulos
Pete & Paula Apostolopoulos
Catherine Arakas
Sideris & Sue Arakas
Eula Balomenos
Gus & Ismini Barlas
Dean & Toni Barlas
John & Vasso Barlas
Peter & Georgia Barlas
Alexander & Ashleigh Baxevanis
Nick & Laura Baxevanis
Richard & Mickie Bass
Bernard & Milagro Blanco
Stelios & Stavroula Boussios
Maria Kalis Buchanan
Mary Chakales
Pete & Patty Chakales
Isabelle Cledaras
Nick & Maria Collias
Steve, Eleni & Bill Constantinou
Steven & Bess Crider
John & Gerri Critikos
John & Julie Delich
Kathryn Demos
Gus Dermas
Yotty Dermas
Harry Diavatis
Fr. Michael & Pres. Nikol Diavatis
Demitrios & Stamatia Dotsikas
Angelo & Irene Dotsikas
Spyros Doumakis
Andrea Dray
Catherine Dreessen
Angie & Randy Edwards
Irene Evangelatos
John & Catherine Faherty
Bruce & Traci Fleming
Irene Gailey
Peter Gilman
Tim & Natasa Grammatikos
Mackey Griffis
Bob & Anastasia Haines
John & Katina Hansen
Antonios & Stavroula Iliou
George Iliou
Crisler & Ginny Johnson
Mary Johnson
Starry & Alan Jones
Andrew & June Kallianos
Marika Kalogerakis
Arnold & Eva Kalogerakis
Stelios Kalogerakis
George & Eleni Kaltsunis
Jimmy & Irene Katsadouros
Steve & Dora Katsadouros
Andrew & Golfo Katsigianis
Jimmy & Maria Katsigianis
Scott & Katina Kenyon
Jim & Carmen Kelling
Maria Keranis
Kiki Koufaliotis
Margaret Koutris
Jimmy & Jenny Koutsioumbis
George & Ida Kroi
Gust & Vassiliki Kyres
George Lamprinakos
Mike & Emily Lawrence
17
continued
2016 Stewardship, continued
Jason &Despina Ledford
Patrick & Rita Lewis
Christos & Vivian Loukas
Dennis & Elenie Loux
Michelle Malsbury
Lamar & Kathleen Marshall
James & Karen McGovern
Chris & Varvara Moutos
Jim & Angeliki Moutos
Daniel & Michele Mulloy
Dean Nakos
Bessie Nickolopoulos
Vasil & Etlena Nune
Maria Panagiotopoulos
Chris & Vicky Papakonstantinou
Jimmy & Amalia Papakonstantinou
Helen Papanastasiou
Arthur & Laurie Pappas
Evan Pappas
Mary Pappas
Sara Pappas
Gunther & Trixanna Penner
Chris & Mari Peterson
Johnny Peterson
Nick & Sue Peterson
Gus Poulos
John & Susan Poulos
Milton & Athena Poulos
Theodora Poulos
Mary Poulos
Val & Andrew Prytyskach
George Rallis
Kostas & Emily Rantzos
Paul & Steffie Rantzos
Angelo & Eleni Sakkas
Kosta & Virginia Sakkas
Nicholas & Alyssa Sellas
Ourania Sellas
Konstantinos & Evelyn Siatis
Stamatia Sigman
Jim & Virginia Soufleris
Gus & Melissa Stamatiades
John & Effie Stamatiades
Perry & Fay Stamatiades
Peter Stathopoulos
Demitri & Maria Stephenson
Maria Treskas
Athanasios & Vassiliki Tsakalos
Jimmy & Sophia Tziavelis
George & Tammy Tsiros
Nick & Anastasia Tsiros
Tommy & Michelle Tsiros
Benton Urquhart
Bill & Connie Vlahoulis
Pavlos Wallingford
Chris & Andrea Wilhelm
Anna Xenakis
Dr. Hope Xenakis & Ray Dean
Georgia Xenakis
Bill Zaferis
Steve & Frosene Zeis
Charles & Dena Zogzas
Christos & Katina Zoumbos
Christos & Adamantia Zourzoukis
Constantine G. Zourzoukis
Dimitrios G. Zourzoukis
George Zourzoukis
Gus & Popie Zourzoukis
Julia Zourzoukis
Mary Zourzoukis
Total pledges: 144
Total pledged: $122,469
Avg. pledge: $850
Rec'd. to date: $105,978.27
18
Kontakion of the Feast of the Birth of our Savior.
On this day the Virgin beareth the transcendent in essence; to the
Unapproachable, the earth doth offer a small cave; Angels join in
choir with shepherds in giving glory; with a star the Magi travel
upon their journey; for our sakes is born a young Child, He that
existed before the ages as God.
19
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
227 Cumberland Avenue
PO Box 8369
Asheville, NC 28814
Return Service Requested
Non-Profit Org.
US Postage Paid
Asheville, NC #135
The December edition of the Garden of the Lord is sponsored by
Assef & Hiyam Alnasraween for Lenny’s Sub Shop
Merry Christmas to the Holy Trinity Family!
The Only Lenny’s
with 80 miles of
Asheville!
645 Biltmore Ave.
(828) 350-1338
We are ready to
cater your holiday
needs!
20